Effects of Yoga techniques on reducing mental symptoms of immobility syndrome in elderly women

Abstract

Background and Aim: Immobility syndrome is the symptomsofphysical, metabolic, and mental disorder due todaily immobility andcauses disorder inbalanceof elderly people. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga techniques on reducing mental symptoms of immobility syndrome in elderly women. Materials and Method : The present study was a quasi experimental with pre-test and post -test analysis that contains experimental and control goups. Statistical population of the current study was 65-70 year-old women which were members of elderly women Association of city Health Office in Area 2 of Tehran. After interviewing for thestudy ofimmobilizationsyndrome and applying Genetal health questionnair (GEQ),20 elderly women with low general health were selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Using Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) test psychological status of participants were measured. Experimental group Received 8 1-hour sessions of yoga therapy monthly for a period of 2 months. No intervention was carried out for control group. The mental health status of both groups were evaluated after Yoga-therapy.Analysis of covariance was applied to analyze the data. Results : After applying yoga techniques, scores of experimental group were decreased in indexes of SCL-90-R (P<0.001). Conclusion : The literature suggeststhatyoga techniques have beneficial effects on management of anxiety, depression, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity symptoms and could lead to appearance of a balance in physical, emotional, and mental capacities of elderly women. Hence, yoga can be used as an alternative medical system for these disorders. Key words : Yoga , mental symptoms, Immobility syndrome , Elderly women